Hey guys. This year I was able to get my hands on a bunch of Walnut and White Birch. Got it all split and stacked this fall. Question is Will it be ready for 2020-21 winter? I've already pretty much come to the conclusion the Maple will be 2 years. This is only my second year burning so I'm still hustling to get my piles stocked up. Seems like the Walnut is fast to dry, but still not sure, I was thinking (hoping) it might behave somewhat like the Cherry I've had in the past, both burning and seasoning. I have about 4 cord of Ash and Cherry and a little Oak ready for this year, but am worried I'm going to be short next year if all this Walnut and Birch isn't ready... I love Ash, really wish I could find another score of that sometime soon.
If the wood is exposed to open air (wind) and sunlight you won't have any issues. What size splits? That plays a role as well.
Walnut will be ready if split and kept dry or at least off the ground. I had some walnut down for 8 -10 years in the woods, I thought it would burn almost immediately. Wrong, it didnt rot and took a year to season after it was bucked and split.
Years back my dad and uncle would cut split and stack over the Winter and burn the following year regardless of tree. The species you listed should be okay within a year if already CSS. If in doubt split a piece and check with a moisture meter prior to burning. FHC recommends the three year plan...having enough wood for three years ahead. Keep hoarding and post pics!
I think bogydave times are longer or his paper/white birch is more dense to a shorter growing / drying season. IF split small, my birch 4 x 4 splits it dries in year. If un split it rots FAST.
We strive to but not all of us can since some burn 3-4 cord and only have room for that or a bit more. Doing our best though!!
I had a good experience with white birch, c/s/s in June 2017 and was burning it winter of 2018/2019. First time burning it and I loved it. Dry as toast and smelled fantastic. Hoping to score more one day.
Love that paper birch too. Fantastic smell. Almost a blend of cherry and another super aromatic pine or fir. Too bad the bark doesn’t come off easily unless it’s really been exposed to sun.
Thanks for all the replies, guys. Just last week I was at my brothers bachelor party and one of the guys there cleared a bunch of trees in his backyard and told me I could take all the maple I wanted... nice score except one caveat he wanted me to also take the punky Chinese chestnut at the very end of his yard... I ducked it up and took it, and it wasn’t all that bad. Got more splitting to do!
